- Everyone is at risk for glaucoma. However, certain
groups are at higher risk than others.
- People at high risk for glaucoma should get a complete
eye exam, including eye dilation, every one or two years.
- The following are groups at higher risk for developing
glaucoma.
-
- Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness among
African-Americans. It is six to eight times more common in
African-Americans than in Caucasians.
-
- Glaucoma is much more common among older people. You are
six times more likely to get glaucoma if you are over 60 years old.
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- Family Members with Glaucoma
- The most common type of glaucoma, primary open angle
glaucoma, is hereditary. If members of your immediate family have
glaucoma, you are at a much higher risk than the rest of the
population.Family history increases risk of glaucoma four to nine
times.
-
- People of Asian descent appear to be at some risk for
angle closure glaucoma. Angle closure glaucoma accounts for less than
10% of all diagnosed cases of glaucoma. Otherwise there is no known
increased risk in Asian populations.
-
- Some evidence links steroid use to glaucoma. A study
reported in the Journal of American Medical Association, March 5,
1997, demonstrated a 40% increase in the incidence of ocular
hypertension and open angle glaucoma in adults who require
approximately 14 to 35 puffs of steroid inhaler to control asthma.
This is a very high dose, only required in cases of severe asthma.
-
- Injury to the eye may cause secondary open angle
glaucoma. This type of glaucoma can occur immediately after the injury
or years later.
- Blunt injuries that “bruise” the eye (called blunt
trauma) or injuries that penetrate the eye can damage the eye’s
drainage system, leading to traumatic glaucoma.
